Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has warned that the party’s ongoing internal crisis is being fueled by personal ambitions that threaten its founding ideals and national relevance. He stressed that while disagreements are inevitable in political organizations, allowing individual interests to override collective goals could weaken the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Thursday, Chief Olabode George described the current state of the PDP as a painful deviation from the vision of its founding fathers, who, according to him, built the party on unity, inclusiveness, and national development.
George also expressed concern that unresolved tensions within the PDP could undermine democratic stability if not urgently addressed through sincere reconciliation efforts, noting that “life is not a straight line… sometimes you hit the bumps as you travel.”
He explained that the PDP was deliberately structured to bridge Nigeria’s deep ethnic and religious divides, ensuring equal participation for both majority and minority groups across the country. “They forgot their personal ambition and dedicated their lives to forming a political party that is national in its outlook,” he said.
George lamented that the party’s founding principles of selflessness and collective progress are now being overshadowed by personal ambitions, which he identified as the root cause of the ongoing crisis. “Suddenly, personal ambitions came in, and we found ourselves in this quagmire,” he stated.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, he maintained that the crisis is not beyond resolution, emphasizing that the competence of the party’s leadership in managing the conflict will determine its future stability. “I don’t see it as an issue that should decimate the party,” he added.
The PDP chieftain reiterated that no individual is bigger than the party, stressing that its ownership lies with Nigerians across all regions who contributed to its formation and growth. “No individual owns this party,” he said.
He welcomed the intervention of the Court of Appeal in Ibadan, which advised aggrieved members to pursue reconciliation, describing it as a timely and constructive step toward resolving the dispute internally. “Go and sit down, go and see how you can reconcile yourself,” he quoted the court’s position.
George, however, cautioned against escalating tensions, warning that political crises, if not carefully managed, can spiral into larger national instability. “No individual… can predict how it will all end,” he warned.
He criticized party members who continue to act unilaterally, particularly those proceeding with congresses despite ongoing reconciliation talks, describing such actions as counterproductive to peace efforts. “They are doing congresses… and they don’t want to listen to the discussion that is going on,” he said.
According to him, meaningful dialogue must take precedence over political maneuvering, insisting that any resolution must prioritize the collective interest of the party over individual aspirations. “No individual ambition can be bigger than this country called Nigeria,” he stressed.
George also assured party supporters that the PDP remains strong and will not collapse, expressing confidence that internal mechanisms will ultimately restore unity within the party. “This party will not collapse,” he declared.
He concluded by urging all stakeholders to embrace dialogue and discipline, warning that unresolved internal divisions could weaken the party’s chances in future elections and disrupt Nigeria’s democratic balance.
Triumph Ojo
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